GUILT

Illustration★★★★

There is an old story about the time Emperor Frederick the Great visited Potsdam Prison. He spoke with the prisoners, and each man interviewed claimed complete innocence of the crime for which he was convicted. Each claimed to be a victim of a frame—up or some other form of injustice. Someone else was to blame for their imprisonment. But, at last, one poor fel- low, with his head hanging down, never looking up, said, “Your Majesty, I am guilty, and richly deserve my punishment.” Whereupon, the Emperor shouted for the prison warden: “Come and get this man out of here before he corrupts all the noble, innocent people in this prison!”

The point

Emperor Frederick the Great visits a prison and hears every inmate claim innocence until one broken man confesses guilt and accepts punishment. The Emperor orders his release—only truth-tellers belong in such company.

Scripture

Psalm 32:1-2

Audience

Adults

Tone

Convicting

To tell aloud

under a minute · 111 words

Subjects

Guilt Honesty Confession

Community

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